AUSTIN, Texas — Cities across Texas are continuing to find ways to prevent a looming water shortage. Austin plans to upgrade one of its facilities to keep up with the area’s rapid growth.

The Walnut Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant in Austin currently treats 60 million gallons a day, which is nearing the facility’s 75 million gallon capacity.

Because of that, the city has allocated more than $1 billion to expand and improve the plant. Construction is slated to start this summer and would bump up capacity to 100 million gallons a day. 

Leaders say this expansion is about more than just handling today’s needs. Agmed Weber, an operations manager of wastewater treatment with the City of Austin, says they are building with a multi-generational mindset, “ensuring that this facility can serve Austin for another 50 years.”

The pressure for water facilities to keep up with the growth isn’t unique to Central Texas. Other major cities in the Lone Star State face a similar dilemma.

Lauren King, managing engineer for Austin Water, explains that the project is one of many in Texas.

“There are other wastewater and water treatment plant expansions that are happening across the state, and then a lot of conversation around the impacts of conservation,” she said. 

State lawmakers are also pushing for more investment in water infrastructure. Multiple bills have been proposed in the Texas Legislature that focus on desalination and other water-related projects.